Under Wisconsin state law, all vehicles from 1995 or later must have an EPA-approved catalytic converter.
Whether it’s at the top of your mind or not, your catalytic converter is an important component of your car. A catalytic converter is responsible for filtering your exhaust to keep the air clean, and it even makes your car more fuel efficient. Considering its important role, it’s no wonder that catalytic converters are being stolen at an alarming rate across the country.
Wondering what you can do to comply with Wisconsin’s catalytic converter laws, and how you can avoid becoming a theft victim? You’ve come to the right place. Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
that also provides information on car repair
topics, is here with all of the information you need. We’ll break down what you need to know about catalytic converter governance in Wisconsin, what federal laws apply to you, and how you can avoid becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft. We'll even show you how to save on Wisconsin car insurance costs
. Do I need a catalytic converter in Wisconsin?
Yes. According to Wisconsin State Legislature
, all vehicles 1995 or later must have their OEM catalytic converter or an EPA-approved replacement. Models from 1995 or later can only have an EPA-approved replacement if the model is eight years older than the current model or has more than 80,000 miles on its odometer. If the catalytic converter is replaced, the owner must have a receipt or other documentation that shows that the replacement is certified by EPA.
In addition to Wisconsin’s state laws, you should also be aware of the federal laws you need to follow. In 1986, the EPA established a new set of catalytic converter replacement standards. Under federal law, your catalytic converter must be:
In the same location as the original
The same type as the original
The correct model for your vehicle
Accompanied by the installer’s warranty information card
With catalytic converter theft on the rise, you’ll still need to get it replaced if it’s stolen—even though you’ll be able to drive your car without any apparent issues.
Penalties for driving without a catalytic converter
While it’s possible that you won’t incur any monetary penalties if you’re caught driving without a catalytic converter, your smog certification will almost certainly be suspended. This means you’ll have to replace the catalytic converter and go through an emissions test before driving your car again.
On the other hand, if you’re the one who’s removed or tampered with your catalytic converter, you could face fines up to $10,000. If you own a car dealership and install aftermarket catalytic converters that don’t meet EPA standards, you’re looking at up to $37,500 in fines.
In short, if you’re considering bypassing or compromising your car’s emissions control system—don’t. It’ll cost you much less to keep your catalytic converter in good condition and to stay vigilant about catalytic converter theft.
Why are catalytic converters being stolen?
The rise of catalytic converter theft is frustrating, but it’s also pretty easy to explain. Simply put, catalytic converters are made out of valuable metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium, so thieves can sell them for a lot of money. Your standard catalytic converter may be worth up to $300, and hybrid converters can be sold for around $1,500!
In addition to their lucrative value, catalytic converters are pretty easy to steal. All a thief needs to do is slide underneath your vehicle, locate the catalytic converter, and remove it without much effort.
How to keep your catalytic converter safe
We know what you’re thinking—if a catalytic converter is worth lots of money and it’s easy to steal, how do I avoid becoming a victim of theft?
Fortunately, there are a few precautions you can take to prevent this crime from happening to you. Here’s what you can do:
Install an anti-theft device
. If you install a metal cage around your converter, you’ll never have to worry about theft. It costs about $300 to install but compared to a catalytic converter replacement, which costs between $1,000 and $2,500, it’s a no-brainer. Choose a safe parking space. Park in a well-lit area, preferably without much space around your car, to deter criminals. If you can, park in a lot that’s monitored by security cameras or even security personnel.
Engrave your catalytic converter with your license plate number. If a would-be thief sees your plate number (or Vehicle Identification Number) etched into your converter, they’ll probably leave you alone.
Keep your car safe with the best insurance
Protecting yourself from catalytic converter theft is a great way to keep you and your car safe, but the best way to keep yourself fully protected is by finding great coverage through a trusted provider.
Interested in saving money while you’re at it? Jerry
, the car insurance super app, can help. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance
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